Netherlands Vegetable Seed Developer Wins World Food Prize

A seed developer from the Netherlands credited with introducing high quality disease-resistant vegetable seeds to more than 60 countries including the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia is the 2019 recipient of the World Food Prize.

Simon Groot, a sixth generation seedsman, began his search to create better vegetable seeds to help farmers in Southeast Asia in 1981.

Groot’s award was announced Monday at the U.S. Department of State.

The foundation that awards the $250,000 World Food Prize is based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Groot will receive the prize at an Oct. 17 award ceremony at the Iowa Capitol.